“Lunch Mob” planned for Oct. 31 in support of hiring people with an intellectual disability

Community Living Essex County supports over 700 people who have an intellectual disability so that they may live in a state of dignity and share in all elements of living in their community with an opportunity to participate effectively.

One element of living in a community is contributing through gainful and meaningful employment.

Community Living Essex County’s Career Compass has joined The Ontario Disability Employment Network’s (ODEN) provincial campaign to promote Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) by choosing to host their first ever “Lunch Mob” at a local business that practices hiring people with disabilities.

A “Lunch Mob” is based on the “Cash Mob” concept. A group of people converge on a business (in this case a restaurant) on a set date and time, buy a meal, meet other “Lunch Mobbers,” while supporting the chosen local business.

This “Lunch Mob” will be held at Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant, a business that has employed someone with an intellectual disability for over two years. Riccardo’s is located at 65 Sandwich St. N. in Amherstburg.

Members of the community are encouraged to stop by between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for lunch Oct. 31. Please RSVP with Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant at 519-736-4333.

Right across the street, Joe Meloche Ford, another inclusive employer that has hired someone with an intellectual disability through Career Compass, is hosting a can drive in partnership with WE as part of the “WE Scare Hunger” campaign to assist food banks in local communities serving people who require food assistance.

“Lunch Mobbers” are encouraged to stop by Joe Meloche to also donate canned goods or other non-perishable items to support their “WE Scare Hunger” campaign.

To learn more about DEAM, be sure to like Community Living Essex County’s Career Compass Facebook page (Facebook.com/CLECareerCompass) and follow them on Twitter (@CLECareerCompass).

For more information about the services available to people with an intellectual disability and their families, contact Community Living Essex County at 519-776-6483, or stop by the main office located at 372 Talbot St. N. in Essex.